A man has been taken into custody after failing to stop for police in Woolston.

A police spokesman told chrislynchmedia.com at 5:40 pm, police had sighted a person of interest driving on Wilsons Road.

A short time later, the vehicle failed to stop for police on Port Hills Road.

Police stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Clarendon Terrace and Sheldon Street, where the driver attempted to flee.

A witness said there were multiple marked police vehicles pursuing a yellow van at “very high speed for a busy residential area.”

“I have grave concerns for my children and others growing up in Woolston with the increasing number of police pursuits in the area,” the witness said.

The driver, a 54-year-old man, was taken into custody on charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, assault, a warrant to arrest for previous offences, and several bail breaches.

He is due to appear in Christchurch District Court tomorrow.